Question

How information from multiple neurons are integrated to determine whether a postsynaptic nerve will fire. Answer should include the following terms: Action potential, neurotransmitters, synapse(s), presynaptic neuron, and postsynaptic neuron

Answer 1

The information from one neuron to other neuron is transmitted via the release of neurotransmitters. When a neuron receives sufficient stimulus (threshold stimulus) it generate an action potential resulting in the release of neurotransmitter from its axon terminal (presynaptic neuron) across synapases (the place where two neuron joins). The released neurotransmitter bind to the receptor of next neuron (postsynaptic neuron) which may cause a firing (action potential) in this neuron. A neuron is connected through almost 15000 neurons. The firing of postsynaptic neuron is dependent on the summation of the output of all connected neurons. The output of a neuron either may be excitatory or inhibitory. The excitatory output of a presynaptic neuron bring a postsynaptic neuron closer to the action potential while the inhibitory output makes it far from action potential. Thus, the firing of postsynaptic neuron is dependent on the combined effect of excitatory and inhibitory output of associated multiple presynaptic neurons.